Holder for personal protection devices

Abstract

An automatic disarming device for use with a portable personal protection apparatus in which the device disarms when taken from an authorized user thereby rendering the device ineffective or inoperative when turned against the authorized user. The automatic disarming device includes a housing supporting the personal protection apparatus, an operating mechanism on the housing for actuating the personal protection apparatus, and a removable arming member which renders the operating mechanism inoperative or ineffective when the arming member is separated from the housing.

Having thus defined the invention, the following is claimed: 
     
       1. A disarming device for a portable personal protection apparatus comprising housing means for at least partially enclosing said personal protection apparatus, actuator means including a leg on said housing means and displaceable relative thereto for for activating said personal protection device, and arming means removably supported on said housing for disabling and enabling said actuator means and interacting with said leg, said arming means including an arming member which disables said actuator means when removed from said housing means. 
     
     
       2. The disarming device as defined in claim 1, wherein said actuator means moveable between a first position and a second position whereby movement to said second position activates said apparatus. 
     
     
       3. A disarming device for a portable personal protection apparatus comprising housing means for at least partially enclosing said personal protection apparatus, actuator means on said housing means and displaceable relative thereto for activating said personal protection device, and arming means removably supported on said housing for disabling and enabling said actuator means, said arming means including an arming member and a catch member, said arming member disabling said actuator means when removed from said housing means, said disabling means includes a catch member engaging said actuator means preventing activation of said apparatus when said arming member is removed from said housing. 
     
     
       4. The disarming device as defined in claim 3, wherein said arming means includes a tether member. 
     
     
       5. The disarming device as defined in claim 4, wherein said tether member is in the form of a wrist loop. 
     
     
       6. The disarming device as defined in claim 1, wherein said housing means includes an opening which supports said arming member. 
     
     
       7. The disarming device as defined in claim 1, including a bypass means for activating said apparatus when said arming member is removed from said housing means. 
     
     
       8. The disarming device is defined in claim 3, including a bypass means for activating said apparatus when said arming member is removed from said housing means. 
     
     
       9. The disarming device as defined in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a spray device for discharging spray material. 
     
     
       10. The disarming device as defined in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is an electrical shock device. 
     
     
       11. The disarming device as defined in claim 9, wherein said housing defining an interior compartment having an open end adapted to receiving a container containing a spray, said operating means including a cap positioned at the open end of said housing, said cap having a passageway directing the spray from said canister through said cap. 
     
     
       12. The disarming device as defined in claim 11, including locking means for controlling movement of said actuator means relative to said housing means, said locking means moveable between a first and a second setting, said first setting preventing movement of said actuator means relative to said housing means. 
     
     
       13. The disarming device as defined in claim 12, wherein said locking means comprising a locking ring rotatably disposed to said actuator means and having a projection moveable between said first and second settings. 
     
     
       14. The disarming device as defined in claim 1, including a key ring securable to said housing means. 
     
     
       15. A disarming device for a portable personal protection apparatus comprising: (a) housing means for substantially enclosing said personal protection apparatus;   (b) actuator means incorporated in said housing means and displaceable relative thereto for activating said personal protection apparatus, said actuator means including a leg moveable between a first position and a second position, said second position activating said personal protection apparatus; and   (c) arming means supported on said housing means for enabling and disabling said actuator means and interacting with said leg, said arming means including an arming member removably supported on said housing means, said arming means preventing movement of said actuator means to said second position when said arming member is removed from said housing means.   
     
     
       16. The disarming device as defined in claim 15, wherein said housing means includes a bottom wall and sidewalls integral therewith defining an interior compartment for personal protection apparatus. 
     
     
       17. The disarming device as defined in claim 16, wherein said housing means being in sliding contact with said actuator means. 
     
     
       18. The disarming device as defined in claim 17, wherein said leg is disposed adjacent to said side wall. 
     
     
       19. The disarming device as defined in claim 15, wherein said arming device includes catch means for engaging said actuator means thereby preventing movement of said actuator means to said second position when said arming member is removed from said housing means. 
     
     
       20. The disarming device as defined in claim 18, wherein said arming device includes catch means for engaging said actuator means thereby preventing movement of said actuator means to said second position when said arming member is removed from said housing means. 
     
     
       21. The disarming device as defined in claim 20, wherein said catch means disposed on said side wall for engagement of said leg when said arming member is removed from said housing means. 
     
     
       22. The disarming device as defined in claim 15, including locking means for controlling movement of said actuator means, said locking means moveable between a first setting and a second setting, said first setting preventing movement of said actuator means to said second position. 
     
     
       23. The disarming device as defined in claim 21, including locking means for controlling movement of said actuator means, said locking means moveable between a first setting and a second setting, said first setting preventing movement of said actuator means to said second position. 
     
     
       24. The disarming device as defined in claim 23, wherein said locking means includes a locking ring rotatably disposed to said actuator means and having a projection moveable between a first location and a second location, said first location corresponding to locking means first setting and said second location corresponding to said locking means second setting. 
     
     
       25. The disarming device as defined in claim 15, wherein said personal protection apparatus is a cannister of fluid. 
     
     
       26. The disarming device as defined in claim 15, wherein said personal protection apparatus is an electrical shock device. 
     
     
       27. The disarming device as defined in claim 15, including bypass means incorporated in said housing means for allowing movement of said actuator means to said second position when said arming member is removed from said housing means. 
     
     
       28. The disarming device as defined in claim 21, including bypass means incorporated in said housing means for allowing movement of said actuator means to said second position when said arming member is removed from said housing means. 
     
     
       29. The disarming device as defined in claim 28, wherein said bypass means facilitating movement of said leg about said catch means when said arming member is removed from said housing means. 
     
     
       30. The disarming device as defined in claim 29, wherein said bypass means includes opening means in said sidewall of said housing for access to said leg.